What does Christmas mean to a Pagan?

Answer 1

Christmas is widely accepted as a Christian celebration by the churches throughout the world. It is observed by hundreds of millions of people.

Regarding the origin of Christmas and the day of Christ's birth, note the following comments from religious and historical sources:

"Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church."-The Catholic Encyclopedia.

"The first mention of the celebration of Christmas occurred in A.D. 336 in an early Roman calendar."-The World Book Encyclopedia.

"Inexplicable though it seems, the date of Christ's birth is not known. The Gospels indicate neither the day nor the month."-New Catholic Encyclopedia.

The Bible ignores Christmas because it is not a Christian doctrine or practice. It is not of divine origin.

Jesus Not Born on December 25

Regarding the date December 25 given for the birth of Jesus, there is no evidence to indicate that this is correct. The evidence shows otherwise.

In the book Celebrations, by Robert J. Myers, we read: "The Biblical narrative of the birth of Jesus contains no indication of the date that the event occurred. However, Luke's report [Luke 2:8] that the shepherds were 'abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night' suggests that Jesus may have been born in summer or early fall.

The Encyclopedia Americana says of December 25: "This date was not set in the West until about the middle of the 4th century and in the East until about a century later."

Where, then, did Christmas originate? On this, there is general agreement. U.S. Catholic states: "It is impossible to separate Christmas from its pagan origins." It adds: "The Romans' favorite festival was Saturnalia, which began on December 17 and ended with the 'birthday of the unconquered sun' (Natalis solis invicti) on December 25. Somewhere in the second quarter of the fourth century, officials of the church of Rome decided December 25 would make a suitable day to celebrate the birthday of the 'sun of righteousness.' Christmas was born."

In 1643, England's Parliament even outlawed Christmas because of its pagan background, but later it was restored. In 1659, it was also outlawed in Massachusetts, but there too it was later restored. And U.S. Catholic reports: "Because Christians in the U.S. . . . associated Christmas with pagan customs, they didn't celebrate Christmas in a big way until the mid-19th century."

Nearly all the traditions associated with Christmas are derived from pagan and unscriptural practices. Really, no account is recorded in the Bible of peoples celebrating or observing Christ's birth.

Answer 2

Christmas is the Judeo-Christian equivalent of the ancient pagan festival of Yule. Yule marks the end of the Winter Solstice, and celebrated in 21st or 22nd of December, (Depending on the Georgian Calendar Correction).

Yule is also the celebration of the Re-Birth of the Pagan Horned God.

Yule is celebrated with lighting candles to welcome the Re-Born God, and decorating a tree with white decorations and light.

Many pagan households celebrate Yule with family gatherings, gift exchanges, singing, feasting, Rituals and an all night vigil, often candle lit in reverence of the goddess in her mother form as she labours to gift birth to the god in his aspect of the sun. One of the more common rites of passage for young men is to tend the fires at this vigil.

Answer 3

In order to answer this, it is necessary for me to get into what is known as the Wheel of the Year. These are eight sabbats, or holidays, that celebrate various landmarks in the calendar year. They are symbolized by various events in the lives of the god and goddess. I will begin with the spring equinox. The god and the goddess are young and powerful, and they begin to rejoice in the love they feel for one another. On Beltaine (May Day), they are wed, and lie with one another in joy. This brings forth life in all its myriad forms, and the earth explodes with greenery. As the god and goddess mature, so the cycle of the plants and animals progresses. By the summer solstice, they (and the plants and certain animals) are fully grown. Soon, they will grow old. By Lughnasadh (August 1st or 2nd), the god is either nearing his last days or dead, depending upon the tradition. But his wife is already pregnant of his seed. Thus, Lughnasadh (sometimes called Lammas, or "loaf mass") is the first harvest. Next is the autumnal equinox. Not coincidentally, this is the second harvest. The goddess mourns her husband, who is, by this time, dead, according to most traditions. This marks the transition into the dark half of the year. Samhain (October 31st) marks the time when the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead is the thinnest. It was also once the date of the new year. The goddess is in mourning, yet she is full and ripe with child. This child is born on the Winter Solstice, the time when the sun is at its weakest, the shortest day and the longest night. This joyous celebration of the return of the light is celebrated with feasting and dancing. Evergreens such as the fir or pine, the holly, and mistletoe are gathered as living symbols of the hope of life that lies in the dead of winter. As the god is born of the goddess whom he impregnated, she grows young once more. By Imbolc (February 2nd, also known as Groundhog's Day), they are once again the young playmates, preparing for the day when they will be young lovers again.

Answer 4

December 25th is actually the date of one of the highest pagan holidays. When the king wanted everyone to turn to Christianity he forced everyone to celebrate the christian holiday by making it on the same day as the highest pagan holiday. I am not sure of the names w/o further research I just know this from religious courses I took in college.

There was no major, public pagan Holiday on December 25th. Christmas does not mean anything to a pagan. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Answer 5

Christmas or Christ mass is a Christian holiday.

There are many pagan festival that celebrate the winter solstice; a king (savior/prophet/god) born to sacrifice himself for his people; a male child destined for resurrection; or festivals of lights... but none of them specifically celebrates the Christ mass or Christmas.